"Roland" in progress

Jeanine Jackson · 05-13-2002, 09:19 PM

This is phase one of "Roland", at 34" x 40", my largest canvas to date. I have been working on it for two months in my mind and in charcoal sketches.

Another first for me was stretching raw linen which I probably overprimed as the canvas has lost much of its tooth. My brushes flew today! Maybe that's a good thing?

I believe the underpainting shows the direction I plan to take this. The jacket and some other areas will go darker, but I'm going to do that in a cooler lay-in tomorrow.

Your comments are highly valued!

Karin Wells · 05-14-2002, 12:35 AM

This is the most critical design stage in a painting and I flip my painting upside down at this point and ask myself:

Is the composition OK?

Is the anatomy OK? Flip your reference material over too and check it against the anatomy.

Karin Wells · 05-14-2002, 12:45 AM

If things aren't crystal clear after flipping the painting upside down, I really tap into my "right brain thinking" with the following...

I stand with my back to the easel and view the upside down painting in a mirror...example below.

How is the composition now?

If you view the reference material now too, you can often spot exactly what you need to do to "get a likeness."

Jeanine Jackson · 05-14-2002, 10:49 AM

Thank you so much, Karin!

I am posting the photo source that I am using in addition to the sketches I made from life... I think I've got the main gesture and anatomy in place. Do you agree?

Jeanine Jackson · 05-26-2002, 10:28 PM

Today I applied color with a vengence! Thick and very "paintable," I think I'll let this application set a while before going back in to refine with some medium. Comments always appreciated.

Mari DeRuntz · 05-27-2002, 09:53 AM

From your reference photo, I thought the sitter's left hand was going to be a real problem, but you've really nailed it! Very lush and painterly, I love it.

Karin Wells · 05-27-2002, 10:10 AM

Nice. You appear to have retained the freshness of the original...and that isn't always easy to do (at least for me).

My one comment would be the "architecture" in the background....it appears that it should really slant more (i.e., clearly defined as a curtain) or be accurately vertical (i.e., wall).

Jeanine Jackson · 05-27-2002, 02:44 PM

Thank you for your comments, Mari and Karin!

The wooden screen behind him might look better with a bit less slant, I agree...but, it is neither a wall nor curtains the latter of which I plan to place beyond that on viewer's right (as in photo).

Karin Wells · 05-27-2002, 03:28 PM

I took a second look and think that your reference photo is slightly askew. Your original photo (on the left) seems tilted to the left...

Renee Price · 05-27-2002, 06:51 PM

Hi Jeanine,

Your progression has been great! The face looks fresh, proportioned, and you have captured the likeness. You will probably do this anyway, but in the resource photo, there is a wonderful blue cast under the chin and above the right (my right) lip that breaks up the warmth in his skin tone. Also, the left hand (my left) isn't as developed as the right--the right hand is well defined.

Keep posting photos as you progress!
Renee Price